Tomato hybrid px 02481245 and parents thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser. No.61/576,697, filed Dec. 16, 2011, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and theinbred tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any traitdeemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield,resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, andnutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derivedtherefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes.The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a tomato plant of thehybrid designated PX 02481245, the tomato line PSQ 24-2082 or tomatoline PSQ-9Z08005. Also provided are tomato plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant. Partsof these tomato plants are also provided, for example, including pollen,an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of tomato hybrid PX 02481245and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 comprising an addedheritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a geneticlocus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In oneembodiment of the invention, a plant of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and/ortomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 is defined as comprising asingle locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, anadded genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example,herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may beconferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of aline by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgeneintroduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or aprogenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced throughtransformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genesintegrated at a single chromosomal location.

The invention also concerns the seed of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and/ortomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005. The tomato seed of theinvention may be provided as an essentially homogeneous population oftomato seed of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082and PSQ-9Z08005. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed aregenerally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, insome embodiments, seed of hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 may be defined as forming at least about 97% ofthe total seed, including at least about 98%, 99% or more of the seed.The seed population may be separately grown to provide an essentiallyhomogeneous population of tomato plants designated PX 02481245 and/ortomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a tomato plant of hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 is provided. The tissue culture will preferablybe capable of regenerating tomato plants capable of expressing all ofthe physiological and morphological characteristics of the startingplant, and of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotypeas the starting plant. Examples of some of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomatolines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 include those traits set forth in thetables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissue cultures may bederived, for example, from embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen,leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistils, flowers, seed and stalks.Still further, the present invention provides tomato plants regeneratedfrom a tissue culture of the invention, the plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of hybrid PX 02481245and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing tomato seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent tomato plant with a second parenttomato plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent tomatoplants is a plant of tomato line PSQ 24-2082 or tomato line PSQ-9Z08005.These processes may be further exemplified as processes for preparinghybrid tomato seed or plants, wherein a first tomato plant is crossedwith a second tomato plant of a different, distinct genotype to providea hybrid that has, as one of its parents, a plant of tomato line PSQ24-2082 or tomato line PSQ-9Z08005. In these processes, crossing willresult in the production of seed. The seed production occurs regardlessof whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent tomato plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent tomato plants into plants that bear flowers. A third stepmay comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent tomato plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent tomato plants. Theharvested seed can be grown to produce a tomato plant or hybrid tomatoplant.

The present invention also provides the tomato seeds and plants producedby a process that comprises crossing a first parent tomato plant with asecond parent tomato plant, wherein at least one of the first or secondparent tomato plants is a plant of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and/ortomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005. In one embodiment of theinvention, tomato seed and plants produced by the process are firstgeneration (F₁) hybrid tomato seed and plants produced by crossing aplant in accordance with the invention with another, distinct plant. Thepresent invention further contemplates plant parts of such an F₁ hybridtomato plant, and methods of use thereof. Therefore, certain exemplaryembodiments of the invention provide an F₁ hybrid tomato plant and seedthereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato linesPSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005, the method comprising the steps of: (a)preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomatolines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005, wherein said preparing comprisescrossing a plant of the hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 with a second plant; and (b) crossing theprogeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of aprogeny plant of a subsequent generation. In further embodiments, themethod may additionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of asubsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generationwith itself or a second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from hybrid PX 02481245and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005. The plant derived fromhybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 maybe an inbred line, and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may bedefined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line.In the method, it may be desirable to select particular plants resultingfrom step (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). Byselecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derivedfrom hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of theline/hybrid as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of tomatohybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005,wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting atleast one tomato from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement oftomato hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 andPSQ-9Z08005 is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used torefer to the aggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of whichsequences defines the phenotype of, in the present case, a tomato plant,or a cell or tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thus representsthe genetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybrid geneticcomplement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell, tissue orplant. The invention thus provides tomato plant cells that have agenetic complement in accordance with the tomato plant cells disclosedherein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that hybrid PX 02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082and PSQ-9Z08005 could be identified by any of the many well knowntechniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990),Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified FragmentLength Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety), and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by tomato plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a tomato plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second tomato plant, preferably, another, distincttomato plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a tomatoplant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid geneticcomplement of this invention.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of the mean for the device or method being employed todetermine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used tomean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives onlyor the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunctionwith the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, thewords “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically notedotherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-endedlinking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, suchas “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and“including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that“comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited topossessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlistedsteps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one ormore traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traitsand covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of tomato hybrid PX 02481245, tomato line PSQ24-2082 and tomato line PSQ-9Z08005.

Tomato hybrid PX 02481245 is variety for EARLY SEASON THICK segment withan estimated maturity of 118-120 days and capable of EFS (extended fieldstorage). PX 02481245 consistently produces large firm fruit with highviscosity, good color, provides high yield potential with juice bostwickin the 15.5 range and produces thicker viscosity than N6366 and AB2varieties. AFW is 80 grams and has BRIX of 5.3. This hybrid has goodvine structure, vines are uniform and upright, with great bed cover.

PSQ-9Z08005 is jointless, with uniform ripening shoulder, midseasonmaturity, medium large determinate dark green plant, and medium sizesquare fruit. PSQ-9Z08005 has the ‘alc/nor’ gene so it ripens toapricot/orange color. PSQ-9Z08005 shows resistance to Verticillium (V1),Fusarium (Race 1 & 2) (F1 F2), Nematode, Bacterial Speck Bsk(0).

A. Origin and Breeding History of Tomato Hybrid PX 02481245

The parents of hybrid PX 02481245 are PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005. Theseparents were created as follows:

Tomato line PSQ 24-2082 was created using a combination of crossing,backcrossing and pedigree selection. All crossing and pedigree selectionwas done in Seminis greenhouses and field plats in Woodland, Calif. andMeliphilla, Chile.

TMV resistant line 96FB279-5 was used as a source of TMV2a resistance.Two crosses (BC1) to Seminis inbred line 8892/1475 were made, followedby 8 generations of single plant pedigree selection and then bulked inBC1F9. TMV resistance was fixed by PCR Marker in BC1F3. The breeding andselection was carried out as follows:

Year Generation Year 1 F1 (96FB279-5 × 8892/1475) Year 1 BC1 (96FB279-5× 8892/1475)8892/1475 Year 2 BC1F2 Year 3 BC1F3 Line Fixed for TMVresistance Year 3 BC1F4 Year 4 BC1F5 Year 4 BC1F6 Year 5 BC1F7 Year 5BC1F8 Year 6 BC1F9 Line bulked and designated PSQ24-2082 and sent toFoundation Seed for increase.

Tomato line PSQ-9Z08005 was created using pedigree selection. Allpedigree selection was done in field plots in Woodland, Calif. andMeliphilla, Chile.

Accession T7349 was harvested from field in Woodland Calif. and used tocreate a large segregating population which was planted in Melipilla,Chile. Seven generations of individual plant horticultural pedigreeselection followed with the line being bulked in Year 4 for FoundationSeed. The breeding and selection was carried out as follows:

Year Generation Year 1 F2 (T7349) Year 1 F3 (T7349) Year 2 F4 (T7349)Year 2 F5 (T7349) Year 3 F6 (T7349) Year 3 F7 (T7349) Year 4 F8 Line(T7349) designated as PSQ-9Z08005 and given to Foundation Seed forincrease.

The parent lines are uniform and stable, as is a hybrid producedtherefrom. A small percentage of variants can occur within commerciallyacceptable limits for almost any characteristic during the course ofrepeated multiplication. However no variants are expected.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Tomato Hybrid PX02481245, Tomato Line PSQ 24-2082 and Tomato Line PSQ-9Z08005

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and the parent linesthereof. A description of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 1-3.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Hybrid PX02481245 Comparison Variety: CHARACTERISTIC PX 02481245 VF 134 1.Seedling Anthocyanin in hypocotyl of present (Montfavet H 63.4) present2-15 cm seedling Habit of 3-4 week old normal normal seedling 2. MaturePlant Height 67.1 cm 68 cm Growth type determinate (Campbell determinate1327, Prisca) Only determinate growth medium (Montfavet H. medium typevarieties: Plant: number 63.4) of inflorescences on main stem (sideshoots to be removed) Form normal lax, open Size of canopy (compared tomedium large others of similar type) Habit semi-erect sprawling 3. StemAnthocyanin coloration of absent or very weak absent or very weak upperthird Branching intermediate (Westover) profuse Branching at cotyledonor present present first leafy node Number of nodes between 7 to 10 4 to7 first inflorescence Number of nodes between 1 to 4 1 to 4 early(1^(st) to 2^(nd), 2^(nd) to 3^(rd)) inflorescences Number of nodesbetween 1 to 4 1 to 4 later developing inflorescences Pubescence onyounger stems sparsely hairy (scattered moderately hairy long hairs) 4.Leaf Type (mature leaf beneath the tomato tomato 3^(rd) inflorescence)Morphology (mature leaf Pinnate leaf with medium Pinnate leaf with smallbeneath the 3^(rd) inflorescence) sized leaflets sized leaflets Marginsof major leaflets shallowly toothed or shallowly toothed or (mature leafbeneath the 3^(rd) scalloped scalloped inflorescence) Marginal rollingor wiltiness slight absent (mature leaf beneath the 3^(rd)inflorescence) Onset of leaflet rolling mid season mid season (matureleaf beneath the 3^(rd) inflorescence) Surface of major leaflets rugose(bumpy or veiny) smooth (mature leaf beneath the 3^(rd) inflorescence)Pubescence (mature leaf normal hirsute beneath the 3^(rd) inflorescence)Attitude (in middle third of semi-erect (Allround, horizontal plant)Drakar, Vitador) Length medium (Lorena) long Width medium mediumDivision of blade pinnate (Mikado, Pilot, Red pinnate Jacket) Size ofleaflets (in middle of small (Tiny Tim) large leaf) Intensity of greencolor dark (Allround, Daniela, medium Lorena, Red Robin) Glossiness (inmiddle third of weak (Daniela) weak plant) Blistering (in middle thirdof medium (Marmande VR) none plant) Size of blisters (in middle medium(Marmande VR) none third of plant) Attitude of petiole of leafletsemi-erect (Blizzard, semi-drooping in relation to main axis (inMarmande VR) middle third of plant) 5. Inflorescence Type (2^(nd) and3^(rd) truss) mainly uniparous mainly multiparous (Dynamo) Type (3^(rd)inflorescence) simple forked Average number of flowers 9.6 6.6 ininflorescence (3^(rd) inflorescence) Leafy or “running” absentoccasional inflorescence (3^(rd) inflorescence) 6. Flower Calyx normal(lobes awl shaped) normal Calyx-lobes approx. equaling corolla shorterthan corolla Corolla color yellow yellow Style pubescence absent or veryscarce sparse (Campbell 1327) Anthers all fused into tube all fused intotube Fasciation (1^(st) flower of 2^(nd) absent (Monalbo, occasionallypresent or 3^(rd) inflorescence) Moneymaker) Color yellow (Marmande VR)yellow 7. Fruit Typical shape in longitudinal elliptical circularsection (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) Shape oftransverse/cross round round section (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd)cluster) Shape of stem end (3^(rd) fruit indented flat of 2^(nd) or3^(rd) cluster) Shape of blossom end (3^(rd) flat to pointed/nippledflat to pointed/nippled fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) (Cal J, EarlyMech, Peto Gro) Size of blossom scar small (Montfavet H 63.4, very smallMontfavet H 63.5) Shape of pistil scar (3^(rd) fruit DOT dot of 2^(nd)or 3^(rd) cluster) Peduncle: abscission layer absent (jointless) (Aledo,present (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) Bandera, Count,Lerica) Ribbing at peduncle end absent or very weak absent or very weak(Calimero, Cerise) Depression at peduncle end weak (Futuria, Melody)absent or very weak Size of stem/peduncle scar medium (Montfavet H small63.4, Montfavet H 63.5, Rutgers) Point of detachment of fruit at calyxattachment at pedicel joint at harvest (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd)cluster) Length of mature fruit (stem 58.6 mm 59.35 mm axis) (3^(rd)fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) Diameter of fruit at widest 45.7 mm50.65 mm point (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) Weight ofmature fruit (3^(rd) 70 grams 86 grams fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd)cluster) Size medium (Alphamech, small Diego) Ratio length/diametermedium (Early Mech, Peto small Gro) Core present present Size of core incross section medium (Montfavet H small (in relation to total diameter)63.4, Montfavet H 63.5) Number of locules 3 or 4 (Montfavet H 63.5) 2 or3 Surface smooth smooth Base color (mature-green light green (Lanai, VF145- apple or medium green stage) F5) Pattern (mature-green stage)uniform green green shouldered Green shoulder (before absent (Felicia,Rio absent maturity) Grande, Trust) Intensity of green color of light(Capello, Duranto, medium fruit (before maturity) Trust) Color atmaturity (full-ripe) red (Ferline, Daniela, red Montfavet H 63.5) Colorof flesh at maturity red/crimson (Ferline, Saint- red/crimson(full-ripe) Pierre) Flesh color with lighter and darker uniform areas inwalls Locular gel color of table- red red ripe fruit Firmness firm(Femova, Konsul, medium Tradior) Shelf life long (Daniela) long Time offlowering early (Feria, Primabel) late Time of maturity early (Feria,Rossol) early Ripening uniform uniform Ripening inside out uniformityEpidermis color yellow yellow Epidermis normal normal Epidermis textureaverage tough Thickness of pericarp medium (Carmello, medium Europeel,Floradade, Heinz 1706, Montfavet H 63.5) Dry matter content (at high(Aloha, Coudoulet) medium maturity) Sensitivity to silvering insensitive(Marathon, insensitive Sano) 10. Chemistry and Composition of Full-ripeFruits pH  4.1  4.27 Titratable acidity, as % citric  0.455  0.3874Total solids (dry matter,  7.05  5.4477 seeds and skins removed) Solublesolids as °Brix  6.21  4.735 11. Phenology Seeding to 50% flow (1 open 55  71 on 50% of plants) Seeding to once over harvest 118 118 Fruitingseason very concentrated (UC 82) medium Relative maturity in areas earlyearly tested 12. Adaptation Culture field field Principle use(s)whole-pack canning, whole-pack canning, concentrated productsconcentrated products Machine harvest not adapted not adapted Regions towhich adaptation Sacramento and Upper San has been demonstrated JoaquinValley of California *These are typical values. Values may vary due toenvironment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are alsowithin the scope of the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line PSQ24-2082 CHARACTERISTIC PSQ 24-2082 1. Seedling Anthocyanin In HypocotylOf 2-15 Cm Seedling Present (Montfavet H 63.4) Habit Of 3-4 Week OldSeedling Normal 2. Mature Plant Height 58.3 cm Growth Type Determinate(Campbell 1327, Prisca) Form Lax, Open Size Of Canopy (Compared ToOthers Of Large Similar Type) Habit Sprawling (Decumbent) 3. StemBranching Intermediate (Westover) Branching At Cotyledon Or First LeafyNode Present Number Of Nodes Between First Inflorescence 4 To 7 NumberOf Nodes Between Early (1^(st) To 2^(nd), 2^(nd) 1 To 4 To 3^(rd))Inflorescences Number Of Nodes Between Later Developing 1 To 4Inflorescences Pubescence On Younger Stems Sparsely Hairy (ScatteredLong Hairs) 4. Leaf Type (Mature Leaf Beneath The 3^(rd) TomatoInflorescence) Margins Of Major Leaflets (Mature Leaf Shallowly ToothedOr Scalloped Beneath The 3^(rd) Inflorescence) Marginal Rolling OrWiltiness (Mature Leaf Slight Beneath The 3^(rd) Inflorescence) Onset OfLeaflet Rolling (Mature Leaf Beneath Mid Season The 3^(rd)Inflorescence) Surface Of Major Leaflets (Mature Leaf Beneath Rugose(Bumpy Or Veiny) The 3^(rd) Inflorescence) Pubescence (Mature LeafBeneath The 3^(rd) Normal Inflorescence) 5. Inflorescence Type (MakeObservations On The 3^(rd) Simple Inflorescence) Average Number OfFlowers In Inflorescence 6.2 (Make Observations On The 3^(rd)Inflorescence) Leafy Or “Running” Inflorescence (Make OccasionalObservations On The 3^(rd) Inflorescence) 6. Flower Calyx Normal (LobesAwl Shaped) Calyx-Lobes Shorter Than Corolla Corolla Color Yellow StylePubescence Absent Or Very Scarce (Campbell 1327) Anthers All Fused IntoTube Fasciation (1^(st) Flower Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd) Absent (Monalbo,Moneymaker) Inflorescence) 7. Fruit Typical Shape In LongitudinalSection (3^(rd) Fruit Cylindrical Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd) Cluster) Shape OfTransverse/Cross Section (3^(rd) Fruit Angular Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd)Cluster) Shape Of Stem End (3^(rd) Fruit Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd) FlatCluster) Shape Of Blossom End (3^(rd) Fruit Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd) IndentedTo Flat Cluster) Shape Of Pistil Scar (3^(rd) Fruit Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd)Dot Cluster) Length Of Mature Fruit (3^(rd) Fruit Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd)63.7 mm Cluster) Diameter Of Fruit (3^(rd) Fruit Of 2^(nd) Or 3^(rd)45.7 mm Cluster) Weight Of Mature Fruit (3^(rd) Fruit Of 2^(nd) Or3^(rd) 76.1 grams Cluster) Core Present Number Of Locules 2 Or 3(Alphamech, Futuria) Surface Smooth Base Color (Mature-Green Stage)Apple Or Medium Green (Heinz 1439 VF) Pattern (Mature-Green Stage)Uniform Green Color At Maturity (Full-Ripe) Red (Ferline, Daniela,Montfavet H 63.5) Color Of Flesh At Maturity (Full-Ripe) Red/Crimson(Ferline, Saint- Pierre) Flesh Color Uniform Locular Gel Color OfTable-Ripe Fruit Red Epidermis Color Yellow Epidermis Easy-PeelEpidermis Texture Average Thickness Of Pericarp Medium (Carmello,Europeel, Floradade, Heinz 1706, Montfavet H 63.5) *These are typicalvalues. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that aresubstantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LinePSQ-9Z08005 Comparison: Characteristic PSQ-9Z08005 PSQ 24-988*HP 988 1.Seedling anthocyanin in hypocotyl of 2-15 cm present present seedling(Montfavet H 63.4) habit of 3-4 week old seedling normal normal 2.Mature Plant height 57.2 cm 48.5 cm growth type determinate determinate(Campbell 1327, Prisca) plant: number of inflorescences on medium(Montfavet medium main stem (side shoots to be H 63.4) removed) formnormal normal size of canopy (compared to others medium small of similartype) habit semi-erect semi-erect 3. Stem anthocyanin coloration ofupper third absent or very weak absent or very weak branchingintermediate intermediate (Westover) branching at cotyledon or firstleafy absent present node number of nodes between first 7 to 10 4 to 7inflorescence number of nodes between early (1^(st) 1 to 4 1 to 4 to2^(nd), 2^(nd) to 3^(rd)) inflorescences number of nodes between later 1to 4 1 to 4 developing inflorescences pubescence on younger stemssparsely hairy moderately hairy (scattered long hairs) 4. Leaf type(mature leaf beneath the 3^(rd) tomato tomato inflorescence) margins ofmajor leaflets (mature shallowly toothed or shallowly toothed or leafbeneath the 3^(rd) inflorescence) scalloped scalloped marginal rollingor wiltiness (mature moderate moderate leaf beneath the 3^(rd)inflorescence) onset of leaflet rolling mid season mid season surface ofmajor leaflets (mature leaf rugose (bumpy or rugose beneath the 3^(rd)inflorescence) veiny) pubescence (mature leaf beneath the normal normal3^(rd) inflorescence) attitude (in middle third of plant) semi-erect(Allround, semi-erect Drakar, Vitador) length medium (Lorena) shortwidth medium narrow division of blade pinnate (Mikado, pinnate Pilot,Red Jacket) size of leaflets (in middle of leaf) small (Tiny Tim) smallintensity of green color dark (Allround, dark Daniela, Lorena, RedRobin) glossiness (as for 6) weak (Daniela) medium blistering (as for 6)medium strong (Marmande VR) size of blisters (as for 6) medium medium(Marmande VR) attitude of petiole of leaflet in semi-erect (Blizzard,horizontal relation to main axis (in middle of Marmande VR) leaf) 5.Inflorescence inflorescence type (2^(nd) and 3^(rd) truss) mainlyuniparous mainly uniparous (Dynamo) type (3^(rd) inflorescence) simplesimple average number of flowers in 7.2 5.7 inflorescence (3^(rd)inflorescence) leafy or “running” inflorescence (3^(rd) absent absentinflorescence) 6. Flower calyx normal (lobes awl normal shaped)calyx-lobes shorter than corolla shorter than corolla corolla coloryellow yellow style pubescence absent or very scarce absent or veryscarce (Campbell 1327) anthers all fused into tube all fused into tubefasciation (1^(st) flower of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) absent (Monalbo, absentinflorescence) Moneymaker) color yellow yellow (Marmande VR) 7. Fruittypical shape in longitudinal section elliptical elliptical (3^(rd)fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) shape of transverse/cross sectionround round (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) shape of stem end(3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or flat flat 3^(rd) cluster) shape of blossomend (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) flat to pointed/ flat to pointed/ or 3^(rd)cluster) nippled (Cal J, Early nippled Mech, Peto Gro) size of blossomscar medium (Alphamech, small Apla, Carmello, Floradade) shape of pistilscar (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or stellate dot 3^(rd) cluster) peduncle:abscission layer (3^(rd) fruit absent (jointless) absent of 2^(nd) or3^(rd) cluster) (Aledo, Bandera, Count, Lerica) ribbing at peduncle endmedium weak (Montfavet H 63.4, Montfavet H 63.5) depression at peduncleend absent or very weak absent or very weak (Europeel, Heinz 1706,Rossol, Sweet Baby) size of stem/peduncle scar medium small (Montfavet H63.4, Montfavet H 63.5, Rutgers) point of detachment of fruit at atcalyx attachment at calyx attachment harvest (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) or3^(rd) cluster) length of mature fruit (stem axis; 3^(rd) 64.7 mm 52.3mm fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) diameter of fruit at widest point(3^(rd) 48.3 mm 41.1 mm fruit of 2^(nd) or 3^(rd) cluster) weight ofmature fruit (3^(rd) fruit of 2^(nd) 84.6 grams 49.2 grams or 3^(rd)cluster) size medium (Alphamech, small Diego) ratio length/diametermedium (Early Mech, medium Peto Gro) core present present size of corein cross section (in medium medium relation to total diameter)(Montfavet H 63.4, Montfavet H 63.5) number of locules 3 or 4 2 or 3(Montfavet H 63.5) surface smooth smooth base color (mature-green stage)light green (Lanai, apple or medium green VF 145-F5) pattern(mature-green stage) uniform green uniform green green shoulder (beforematurity) absent (Felicia, Rio absent Grande, Trust) color at maturity(full-ripe) red (Ferline, Daniela, red Montfavet H 63.5) color of fleshat maturity (full-ripe) red/crimson red crimson (Ferline, Saint-Pierre)flesh color uniform uniform locular gel color of table-ripe fruit redred firmness firm (Fernova, firm Konsul, Tradiro) shelf life medium(Durinta) medium time of flowering medium medium (Montfavet H 63.5,Prisca) time of maturity late (Manific, Saint- medium Pierre) ripening(blossom-to-stem axis) uniform blossom to stem end ripening (peripheralto central radial uniformity uniformity axis) epidermis color yellowyellow epidermis normal normal epidermis texture tender tender thicknessof pericarp thick (Cal J, Daniela, thick Ferline, Peto Gro, Rio Grande)dry matter content (at maturity) medium medium sensitivity to silveringinsensitive insensitive (Marathon, Sano) 8. Chemistry and Composition ofFull-Ripe Fruits pH 4.15 4.24 titratable acidity, as % citric 0.517 0.45total solids (dry matter, seeds and 8.2 6.5 skin removed) soluble Solidsas °Brix 7.5 5.8 9. Phenology seeding to 50% flow (1 open on 55 days 55days 50% of plants) seeding to once over harvest (if 153 days 132 daysapplicable) fruiting season medium (Westover) medium relative maturityin areas tested medium medium 10. Adaptation culture field field *Theseare typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other valuesthat are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of theinvention.

C. Breeding Tomato Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seedof tomato hybrid PX 02481245 involving crossing tomato lines PSQ 24-2082and PSQ-9Z08005. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention,hybrid PX 02481245, line PSQ 24-2082, or line PSQ-9Z08005 may be crossedwith itself or with any second plant. Such methods can be used forpropagation of hybrid PX 02481245 and/or the tomato lines PSQ 24-2082and PSQ-9Z08005, or can be used to produce plants that are derived fromhybrid PX 02481245 and/or the tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005.Plants derived from hybrid PX 02481245 and/or the tomato lines PSQ24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 may be used, in certain embodiments, for thedevelopment of new tomato varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing hybrid PX 02481245 followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initialcrosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to producenew varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or moregenerations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plantof the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristicbeing transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almostall other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to givepure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross with PX02481245 and/or tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 for the purposeof developing novel tomato lines, it will typically be preferred tochoose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selecteddesirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s)when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirable traits may include, inspecific embodiments, high seed yield, high seed germination, seedlingvigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance or resistance, andadaptability for soil and climate conditions. Consumer-driven traits,such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and taste are other examples oftraits that may be incorporated into new lines of tomato plantsdeveloped by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid PX 02481245 exhibits desirable traits, asconferred by tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005. The performancecharacteristics of hybrid PX 02481245 and tomato lines PSQ 24-2082 andPSQ-9Z08005 were the subject of an objective analysis of the performancetraits relative to other varieties. The results of the analysis arepresented below.

TABLE 4 Performance Characteristics for Hybrid PX 02481245 andComparative varieties Disease Fruit Wall Brix Jbost Ostwald VarietyResistance Days Wt (g) (mm) (%) (cm) PPB (s) a/b pH MA SAR Lycopene S6366 VF2NPst(0) 118 84.6 7.5 5.4 20.1 7.5 197 2.37 4.51 16.0 7.5 119 AB0311 VF2NPst(0) 118 89.5 7.7 5.6 17.4 6.5 216 2.40 4.38 19.9 5.9 122TSWV AB 2 VF2Pst(0) 122 95.6 8.1 5.3 19.3 7.0 209 2.37 4.38 19.6 6.0 111AB 3 VF2NPst(0) 122 99.3 8.1 5.4 19.1 7.0 185 2.35 4.41 18.1 6.5 113 PS024 7 VF2N TSWV 125 93.7 8.4 5.0 15.8 4.7 280 2.39 4.44 18.4 6.4 1230002 PX 024 8 VF2NPst(0) 125 87.6 6.9 5.2 16.5 5.3 293 2.27 4.35 20.75.7 100 1245 EFS CXD255 VF2NPst(0) 125 92.9 8.0 5.2 14.7 4.3 348 2.354.40 17.9 6.5 119 EFS Hypeel 849 VF2NPst(0) 128 87.3 8.1 4.9 15.4 4.4393 2.35 4.36 20.4 5.8 110 EFS PS 024 5 VF2NPst(0) 130 94.6 8.3 5.3 15.24.8 263 2.33 4.46 17.4 6.8 101 0650 EFS H5608 VF2NPst(0) 128 76.4 7.35.0 12.5 3.0 489 2.51 4.39 20.4 5.8 131 TSWV *** Key for Table 4: % BrixRaw puree solids based on refractive index Juice Bostwick (Jbost) HotBreak puree flow in centimeters/30 seconds − average of 2 samples (lowervalue indicates higher viscosity) Predicted Paste Bostwick (PPB)Estimated Bostwick of 12% Brix paste, calculated using Brix and JuiceBostwick values (lower value indicates higher viscosity) Ostwald Serumviscosity of hot break puree serum measured in seconds of flow at 30 C.,relative to water (higher number indicates higher viscosity) pH StandardpH values of raw puree Sugar to Acid ratio (SAR) Ratio based on totalsolids and titratable acidity. Master Acid (MA) Acidity calculationbased on Titratable Acidity and Total Solids a/b Color (a/b) Representsthe hue or color of the sample using a Minolta CM-508d (higher number is“redder” color) Lycopene Lycopene (ppm) in raw puree Fruit WeightAverage weight of 10 fruit, measured in gram Fruit Wall (Wall) Averagewidth of pericarp wall of 10 fruit, measured in millimeters DiseseResistance V—Verticillium; F1—Fusarium (Race 1); F2—Fusarium (Race 2);N—Nematode; BSK—Bacterial Speck

TABLE 5 Further Performance Characteristics For Hybrid PX 02481245Variety Tons/Acre PX 02481245 (A) 60.2 FV (A) 62.0 S 6366 (A, B) 59.2AB2 (B, C) 55.6 H 8504 (C) 54.4 ** The results shown in Table 5 aretaken from three trial locations in the same growing season. “A” and “B”indicate varieties whose production is not statistically different fromeach other. Varieties not connected by the same letter are significantlydifferent.

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those tomato plants which are developed by a plantbreeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristicsof a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in thesame environment, other than an occasional variant trait that mightarise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentaltomato plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristicis termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers tothe fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcrossprotocol and therefore does not recur. The parental tomato plant towhich the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred isknown as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in thebackcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a tomato plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the convertedplant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrentparent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny tomato plants of a backcross in which a plantdescribed herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired traitfrom the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of tomato the recurrent parent asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

With the development of molecular markers associated with particulartraits, it is possible to add additional traits into an established germline, such as represented here, with the end result being substantiallythe same base germplasm with the addition of a new trait or traits.Molecular breeding, as described in Moose and Mumm, 2008 (PlantPhysiology, 147: 969-977), for example, and elsewhere, provides amechanism for integrating single or multiple traits or QTL into an eliteline. This molecular breeding-facilitated movement of a trait or traitsinto an elite line may encompass incorporation of a particular genomicfragment associated with a particular trait of interest into the eliteline by the mechanism of identification of the integrated genomicfragment with the use of flanking or associated marker assays. In theembodiment represented here, one, two, three or four genomic loci, forexample, may be integrated into an elite line via this methodology. Whenthis elite line containing the additional loci is further crossed withanother parental elite line to produce hybrid offspring, it is possibleto then incorporate at least eight separate additional loci into thehybrid. These additional loci may confer, for example, such traits as adisease resistance or a fruit quality trait. In one embodiment, eachlocus may confer a separate trait. In another embodiment, loci may needto be homozygous and exist in each parent line to confer a trait in thehybrid. In yet another embodiment, multiple loci may be combined toconfer a single robust phenotype of a desired trait.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, andaltered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inheritedthrough the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of thecorresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates anyplants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and onlythose plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross.This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of tomato plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent onthe phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Suchmethods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traitsand variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be moreexpensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of geneticmarkers which could be used in accordance with the invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990),Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA AmplificationFingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs),Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified FragmentLength Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety), and Single NucleotidePolymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may,alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can beintroduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plantsthat are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to manycrop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation,microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation anddirect DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plantcells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles arecoated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so thatthey are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985). Moreover, recenttechnological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated genetransfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites inthe vectors to facilitate the construction of vectors capable ofexpressing various polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described haveconvenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and apolyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptidecoding genes. Additionally, Agrobacterium containing both armed anddisarmed Ti genes can be used for transformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985; U.S.Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985; Omirulleh et al.,Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993; Fromm et al., Nature,312:791-793, 1986; Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986;Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988). Transformation of plants andexpression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994), and Ellul et al. (Theor. Appl.Genet., 107:462-469, 2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expressioninclude, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression inmost plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985),including in monocots (see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591,1990; Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990); a tandemlyduplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35S promoter(P-e35S); 1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., Plant Physiol.,88:547, 1988); the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., Plant Cell,1:977, 1989); and the figwort mosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter(P-eFMV) where the promoter sequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem;the cauliflower mosaic virus 19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform viruspromoter; a commelina yellow mottle virus promoter; and other plant DNAvirus promoters known to express in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can alsobe used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells,including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., PlantPhysiol., 88:965, 1988), (2) light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter,Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989; maize rbcS promoter,Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-bindingprotein promoter, Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985), (3) hormones,such as abscisic acid (Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989), (4)wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989); or (5)chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or Safener. It mayalso be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters (e.g., Roshal etal., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987; Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988;Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of thisinvention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a tomato plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a tomato plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991). The RNA could also be acatalytic RNA molecule (i.e., a ribozyme) engineered to cleave a desiredendogenous mRNA product (see for example, Gibson and Shillito, Mol.Biotech., 7:125, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces a protein or mRNAwhich expresses a phenotype or morphology change of interest is usefulfor the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart value: The RHS color chartis a standardized reference which allows accurate identification of anycolor. A color's designation on the chart describes its hue, brightnessand saturation. A color is precisely named by the RHS color chart byidentifying the group name, sheet number and letter, e.g., Yellow-OrangeGroup 19A or Red Group 41B.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of a tomatovariety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the singlelocus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/orby genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a tomato plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of tomato hybrid PX 02481245 and inbred parent lines PSQ24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005, disclosed above and recited in the claims, hasbeen made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of deposits wereDec. 14, 2011, Feb. 5, 2009, and Dec. 14, 2011, respectively. Theaccession numbers for those deposited seeds of tomato hybrid PX 02481245and inbred parent lines PSQ 24-2082 and PSQ-9Z08005 are ATCC AccessionNo. PTA-12335, ATCC Accession No. PTA-9756, and ATCC Accession No.PTA-12336, respectively. Upon issuance of a patent, all restrictionsupon the deposits will be removed, and the deposits are intended to meetall of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. The deposits will bemaintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years afterthe last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever islonger, and will be replaced if necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

1. A tomato plant of hybrid PX 02481245, a sample of seed of said hybridhaving been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12335.
 2. A seedof hybrid PX 02481245, a sample of seed of said hybrid having beendeposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12335. 3-8. (canceled)
 9. Aseed that produces the plant of claim
 1. 10. A plant part of the plantof claim
 1. 11. The plant part of claim 10, further defined as a leaf,an ovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 12. (canceled)
 13. A tissueculture of regenerable cells of the plant of claim
 1. 14. The tissueculture according to claim 13, comprising cells or protoplasts from aplant part selected from the group consisting of embryos, meristems,cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower,seed and stalks.
 15. A tomato plant regenerated from the tissue cultureof claim 13, wherein said plant has all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of tomato hybrid PX 02481245, a sample ofseed of said hybrid having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-12335.
 16. A method of vegetatively propagating the plant of claim 1comprising the steps of: (a) collecting tissue capable of beingpropagated from the plant according to claim 1; (b) cultivating saidtissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rooting said proliferatedshoots to obtain rooted plantlets.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising growing at least a first plant from said rooted plantlets.18. A method of introducing a desired trait into a tomato hybrid PX02481245 comprising: (a) introducing at least a first heritable traitinto at least one tomato line selected from the group consisting of linePSQ 24-2082 and line PSQ-9Z08005 to produce a plant of the first inbredtomato line that heritably carries the trait, wherein the heritabletrait is introduced into said first tomato line by backcrossing andwherein representative samples of seed of tomato line PSQ 24-2082 andline PSQ-9Z08005 have been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-9756, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-12336, respectively; and (b)crossing a plant of the first inbred tomato line that heritably carriesthe trait with a plant of a different line selected from said groupconsisting of PSQ 24-2082 and line PSQ-9Z08005 to produce a plant ofhybrid PX 02481245 comprising the heritable trait.
 19. A tomato plantproduced by the method of claim 18, wherein the plant comprises thedesired trait and otherwise comprises essentially all of themorphological and phenotypic traits of hybrid PX 02481245, a sample ofseed of said hybrid having been deposited under ATCC Accession NumberPTA-12335.
 20. A method of producing a plant comprising an added trait,the method comprising introducing a transgene conferring the trait intoa plant of hybrid PX 02481245, a sample of seed of said hybrid havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-12335.
 21. A plantproduced by the method of claim
 20. 22. The plant of claim 1, furthercomprising a transgene.
 23. The plant of claim 22, wherein the transgeneconfers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility,herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, diseaseresistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stresstolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified proteinmetabolism.
 24. The plant of claim 1, comprising a single locusconversion, a sample of seed of said hybrid having been deposited underATCC Accession Number PTA-12335, wherein said plant otherwise comprisesessentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof tomato hybrid PX
 02481245. 25. The plant of claim 24, wherein thesingle locus conversion confers a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 26. A method for producing a seed of aplant derived from hybrid PX 02481245 comprising the steps of: (a)crossing a tomato plant of hybrid PX 02481245 with itself or a secondtomato plant; a sample of seed of said hybrid having been depositedunder ATCC Accession Number PTA-12335; and (b) allowing seed of a hybridPX 02481245-derived tomato plant to form.
 27. The method of claim 26,further comprising the steps of: (c) selfing a plant grown from saidhybrid PX 02481245-derived tomato seed to yield additional hybrid PX02481245-derived tomato seed; (d) growing said additional hybrid PX02481245-derived tomato seed of step (c) to yield additional hybrid PX02481245-derived tomato plants; and (e) repeating the crossing andgrowing steps of (c) and (d) to generate at least a first further hybridPX 02481245, or line PSQ 9Z08005-derived tomato plant.
 28. The method ofclaim 26, wherein the second tomato plant is of an inbred tomato line.29. (canceled)
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising: (f)crossing the further hybrid PX 02481245-derived tomato plant with asecond tomato plant to produce seed of a hybrid progeny plant. 31-32.(canceled)
 33. A method of producing a tomato seed comprising crossingthe plant of claim 1 with itself or a second tomato plant and allowingseed to form.
 34. A method of producing a tomato fruit comprising: (a)obtaining a plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant has beencultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting a tomato from the plant. 35.(canceled)